Iceland's Keflavik International Airport is the country's largest airport and its main international hub.

Planning the trip and getting around

Route 1, also called the Ring Road, is Iceland's main national road and loops around the country. Route 1 is paved for its full length. The Ring Road is maintained by Vegagerdin, the Icelandic Road Administration. Single-lane bridges still remain on Route 1.

Keflavik International Airport is about 47 km from Reykjavik, about a 45 minute drive. Winter driving conditions can occur in spring and autumn as well as winter.

Use the Driving Distance Calculator to help plan your trip.

Day one: Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja is the largest church in Iceland and towers over the centre of Reykjavik. The Sun Voyager is a steel sculpture by Jon Gunnar Arnason, made to resemble a Viking ship.

Day two: the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a round trip that starts and ends in Reykjavik, with three main stops: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.

Thingvellir National Park is about 48 km from Reykjavik, about a 45 minute drive. The Althing, Iceland's general assembly, was established at Thingvellir around 930 and met there until 1798. Thingvellir lies on the tectonic plate boundary of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Strokkur's eruptions can reach as high as 30 metres. Gullfoss drops in two stages into a canyon, and the upper fall is 11 metres. Gullfoss is about 123 km from Reykjavik, about a 1 hour 50 minute drive.

Days three and four: the South Coast to Jokulsarlon

Seljalandsfoss is a South Coast waterfall that visitors can walk behind. Seljalandsfoss is about 128 km from Reykjavik, about a 2 hour drive. Skogafoss is about 155 km from Reykjavik, about a 2 hour 20 minute drive.

Reynisfjara is a black sand beach near Vik where sneaker waves arrive without warning and make the shoreline dangerous. The village of Vik is about 188 km from Reykjavik, about a 2 hour 50 minute drive without stops.

Jokulsarlon is a glacier lagoon beside the Ring Road inside Vatnajokull National Park. Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is about 380 km from Reykjavik, about a 5 hour 30 minute drive without stops. The town of Hofn is about 65 km from Jokulsarlon, about a 1 hour drive.

Day five: Snaefellsnes in the west

Snaefellsjokull is a glacier-capped volcano 1446 metres high. Snaefellsjokull National Park was established in 2001. Stykkisholmur on the north coast is about 173 km from Reykjavik, about a 2 hour 35 minute drive.

Day six: the Blue Lagoon before you fly

The Blue Lagoon is about 20 km from Keflavik Airport.

Comparing tours and self-drive options

You can compare Reykjavik tours to see the current options.